The body of what is believed to be that of an 80-year-old male was found in the ruins of a house that burned to ground Saturday (January 4, 2003) in Papaikou, South Hilo.

The victim, whose identity could not be immediately confirmed, was taken to the Hilo Community Hospital, where the victim was pronounced dead. Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, and Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing an investigation into fire and the death.

The body was discovered after police and fire units responded to an 8:10 p.m. call of a house on fire at 27-235-A Old Mamalahoa Highway in Papaikou. On arrival, they found the house entirely engulfed in flames. By the time the fire was extinguished, the structure had been destroyed by flames.

After entering the structure, firefighters found the body, believed to be that of an 80-year-old man.